business tourism sector. The company is a good example of why taking environmental issues into account makes good business sense, as they highlight in the piece alongside. If you have a business that’s passionate about tourism, the search for the 2010 finalists starts in April. Visit
www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk to see all the categories and download an application form. Entries close at the end of July and the awards ceremony will take place at the end of October in Edinburgh. The tourism industry will be considering sustainable approaches in some detail in 2010, and VisitScotland have organised a series of workshops for tourism businesses. The workshops are being held across Scotland, with sessions led by experts and like-minded businesses. For more information, contact Kate Mair of VisitScotland at
sustainable-tourism@visitscotland.com VisitScotland and partners have also produced the Sustainable Tourism Business for Dummies Guide, a booklet packed full of useful tips and information to encourage tourism businesses to become more sustainable. The booklet will be available at the VisitScotland workshop events or you can download it at
www.tourism-intelligence.co.uk/ guides.aspx
2
The Maximillion story
We first set out to become a ‘green’ business four years ago. A big part of our success was down to splitting the business into three key areas: the offices, the products and the events. The offices were awarded the Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold in 2008 and we now offer a range of products that have an environmental or social theme. For the events, we’re able to deliver to the British Standard, which certifies that an event is sustainable. This means we’re able to identify and understand the effects we’re having on the environment and put in place measures to minimise the negative impacts. Every choice – from the venue and travel arrangements, through to the content of the delegate packs – has to be designed with as much concern for the environment as possible. We’ve benefited in many ways from taking a sustainable approach. We have lower energy bills, attract more publicity, can retain staff better and – most importantly – we’re winning new customers. Some customers still have little interest in whether an event is delivered sustainably. But more and more people are keen on making sure that products have minimal impact on the environment, and want to hire a company that can genuinely deliver a sustainable event.
1
The makings of a perfect day – Moray Firth dolphin watching at Chanonry Point on the Black Isle.
2
Team-building events are a popular part of the Maximillion range of services.
www.snh.gov.uk 53
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